Three-set defeat

Ofner out in second Miami round against Cerundolo

Sebastian Ofner(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Sebastian Ofner has been eliminated in round two of the Masters 1000 tennis tournament in Miami. On Saturday (local time), the 27-year-old lost 6:7(2), 7:6(2), 1:6 to Francisco Cerundolo from Argentina, two years his junior, in their first duel. In round one, Ofner had prevailed 6:3, 6:4 against Kei Nishikori from Japan in his comeback after an injury break. Ofner will drop slightly from 40th place in the world rankings.

Ofner failed to reach the third round of an ATP tournament against the number 20 in the hard court classic for the second time this year after Hong Kong at the beginning of January. Since then, he has not managed two wins en suite. "I would say two and a half sets were really good, unfortunately I felt my body a bit in the third. It's just relatively difficult to keep it up against someone like that," said the Styrian.

Strong against Nishikori
At least Austria's number one managed his first win against Nishikori on his current US trip, having previously suffered opening defeats at the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells and at a Challenger in Phoenix. Ofner's next tour appearance is scheduled for the week beginning Easter Monday at the 250 tournament in Marrakesh.

Before that, "two or three days break" are very important. "I believe that Marrakesh and Monte Carlo can suit me very well and I'm already looking forward to it," said Ofner. "I think I'll feel good again straight away on clay."